Disciples Global Network

In Revelation, the saints experience “tribulation,” but the unrepentant “inhabitants of the earth” undergo “wrath.”  John saw the followers of the “ Lamb ” coming out of the “ great tribulation ,” having persevered through it. This image is central to the vision of the “ innumerable multitude ,” a company of men purchased from every nation by the death of Jesus. Having “ overcome ,” they stand before the “ Lamb ” and the “ throne ” in “ New Jerusalem .” - [ Photo by Nikolas Noonan on Unsplash ].

Disciples of Jesus will escape God’s “wrath” but are appointed for “tribulation” in this life for the kingdom – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 .  The terms “ tribulation ” and “ wrath ” are NOT synonymous in the New Testament. The former is what disciples endure for the gospel, but the latter is the horrific fate that awaits those men and women who reject the good news of the kingdom. Rather than life, they along with apostates will undergo the “ second death ” - [ Photo by Eugene Triguba on Unsplash ].

Jesus is the true “son of Abraham,” the heir of the covenant promises, and the one who implements the inheritance .  The introduction to  Matthew  declares Jesus to be the “ son of David, the  son of Abraham .” These are more than names on a genealogical list. They prepare the reader for the theme of fulfillment that dominates this gospel. He is the Davidic Messiah and the promised heir of the Patriarch, and in him, the covenant promises are fulfilled - [ Arrival - Photo by  Gran Canaria For Nomad List  on Unsplash ].

The city “whose builder and founder” is God is none other than the New Jerusalem John saw “descending from heaven” – Revelation 21:24-22:5 .  The book of Revelation concludes with a portrait of the immense and glorious city of “ New Jerusalem ” populated by the “ innumerable multitude ” of men redeemed from every nation by the “ Lamb ,” the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant promises to Abraham - “ land ” and “ blessings to all the nations of the earth ” - [ Vancouver Skyline - Photo by Mike Benna on Unsplash ].